Tia Christ, Nurse Practitioner

I’m a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (since 2015) and a Registered Nurse (since 2010), proudly serving patients with compassion and expertise. As a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (CFMP), I have trained through the BHRT Training Academy to prescribe bioidentical hormones for both men and women, particularly focusing on menopause treatment and hormone replacement therapy. Additionally, I have begun advanced training through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) to enhance my knowledge in these areas.

I stay current with the latest diagnostic criteria for ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders in men, women, and children, integrating functional medicine approaches for autism and ADHD.

As a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner in Oklahoma and Utah, I have full authority to diagnose, treat, order labs/imaging, and prescribe medications, including those that support weight loss and overall health.

My Journey from Critical Care to Functional Medicine

I began my nursing career in adult critical care, where I quickly noticed a disturbing pattern: patients suffering from preventable chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, depression, and obesity. It became evident that my community didn’t just need emergency care — it needed preventive medicine, education, and real solutions. I felt a deep calling to be part of that change.

I became a Family Nurse Practitioner, hopeful that primary care would enable me to make a meaningful impact. However, after eight years in traditional primary care, I grew disillusioned with the 'pill for every ill' approach. I realized that I wouldn’t personally take most of the medications I was prescribing — a turning point that compelled me to rethink my path.

Throughout my time in internal medicine, I worked with patients battling chronic illnesses. I provided them with all the education I could, but I knew I was only treating symptoms, not addressing the underlying problems. While traditional medicine excels in trauma, surgery, and acute care, it often falls short for patients with chronic conditions.

Like most NPs, PAs, and MDs, I was trained to assess, diagnose, and prescribe — not to explore root causes or utilize natural, holistic therapies. Despite my long-standing interest in herbal and natural medicine, I lacked formal education in it, and most of my physician colleagues discouraged anything beyond FDA-approved treatments.

Everything changed when I began my certification in Functional Medicine. For the first time, I felt aligned with the kind of medicine I was meant to practice — one that focuses on healing the whole person, not just managing disease. I knew I could no longer remain within the conventional model of medicine.

Today, I practice medicine differently — blending the best of science with natural therapies, including hormone replacement therapy and menopause treatment, to help women achieve weight loss and improve their overall health. My goal is to support women's health and empower them to truly heal from the inside out.

Outside the clinic, I'm blessed with a supportive husband, Dustin, and our two boys, Gunner & Barrett, who keep life fun and full of purpose. We also share our home with two playful cats, Reaper & Ruka, and our loving Golden Retriever, Daisy 🐾. 

I homeschool both my sons part-time, and I love to incorporate lessons about functional medicine and women's health into our curriculum. Ask me any questions about homeschooling or how I manage weight loss and hormone replacement therapy while balancing family life!

I cherish quiet moments by the pool or with a book, movie nights with my boys, and family adventures, especially our yearly trips to the Florida beaches — our favorite place to relax, recharge, and reconnect. These moments are vital as we navigate topics like menopause treatment and overall wellness together.

I wholeheartedly believe that God called me to be a nurse, and I feel it is my purpose to serve, care, and walk alongside others on their path to healing and wellness.

We volunteer and donate to Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) in Owasso and are also proud members of Women of Compassion, supporting women's health initiatives. Additionally, we contribute to Skull Games to defend and protect the victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation across Oklahoma and the United States, while also promoting awareness about functional medicine, hormone replacement therapy, menopause treatment, and weight loss.

How Pathway Health & Beauty Was Born

The vision for Pathway Health & Beauty began with a simple yet powerful gesture — a Christmas card I received in December 2022. A kind man sent it to my clinic to thank me for helping change his life. (Though in truth, he did the work — I just gave him the tools!) He lost 97 pounds and completely reversed his type 2 diabetes through nutrition and lifestyle changes, highlighting the importance of personalized weight loss strategies. That heartfelt message lit a fire in me.

In 2023, I began my certification in functional medicine, which ultimately led me down a personal healing journey. I applied the same principles I teach others to diagnose and treat myself — finally addressing the root causes of my own health issues (it was SIBO + perimenopause for me!). Understanding the role of hormone replacement therapy and comprehensive menopause treatment became essential in my recovery.

In 2024, I made a bold move and left my high-stress internal medicine job. As the anxiety lifted, I began to truly heal my body, mind, and spirit. That experience deepened my belief that conventional and functional medicine can work hand-in-hand — but that most people can radically improve their health through personalized nutrition, lifestyle changes, and uncovering root causes through advanced functional medicine testing (I sure needed it myself).

I’m happy to collaborate with your current providers to support your wellness goals — we’re all on the same team when it comes to your health. I believe functional medicine is the future, and I’m honored to be part of this shift toward true, sustainable healing.